Recommended Posts

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this great website, thanks for having me.

I'm hoping for your help in filling in some blanks. I'm in the advanced stages of a research project on Toronto Police Force officers killed in the Great War, a project that's close to my heart. My aim is to have a display in the Toronto Police Museum up and running in 2018 and have some non-profit literature published.

Out of the 27 Toronto policemen killed in action, 6 of them formerly served as police officers in Britain, and I'm hoping some of you gentlemen with archival access can provide some service details of these men in their former police forces (I already possess their TPF and Military service files).

William Edward Arnold

(b. 9 May 1884 - Buckinghamshire, England)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 406, No. 6 Police Station, Hired 6 Oct 1911

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Sergeant 233

Died of Wounds 26 March 1915 (Shot by sniper in trenches near Dickiebusch, Belgium on 17 March 1915)

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Firstly, the surviving personal records for those who served in the provincial police forces of the UK are, in the main, very scant. The Metropolitan Police records are reasonably well preserved and someone on here may be able to help you. The Cheshire Constabulary maintain a museum with website. They will provide details from any records they have, but there are charges to be paid. Go to their website for details. I doubt that you will have much success with the others. Most of the provincial forces have deposited their personnel records with their County or Local Record Offices. In quite a few cases, the records have either been intentionally destroyed or were lost as a result of enemy action during the last war. Best of luck!

Dave.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Having just done a small book on men from my area who died in the Great War, I applaud your efforts and interest! I'm in Alliston and a former Torontonian, so I even know where your museum is! I'm sorry to hear Dave's prognosis.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Dave, thanks, I was worried that would be the answer. I'll reach out to the individual organizations and see what if anything can be drummed up. These men all had relatively short service so my expectations are low. Can any one who has access to the Metropolitan Police records see if they can find anything on Gammack? There are a few RIC men too not listed as I have a contact in Ireland looking into them.

And thanks for the encouragement Peter, I'll be sure to post something on here when it's completed.